A major award for Grant Thornton is an endorsement of the business’s focus on achieving its strategy, according to a director of the accountancy firm in the Isle of Man.

Dennis McGurgan said winning the title of ‘Best Managed International Firm’ at the Managing Partners’ Forum reflected the global group’s strategic strengths, as well as the work, collaboration and determination of everyone employed by Grant Thornton around the world.

The award was announced at a ceremony in London organised by MPF, a professional body that celebrates the value of leadership and management excellence. Mr McGurgan explained the decision to honour Grant Thornton was made by an independent panel of subject matter experts, who noted that in a difficult market the firm has achieved very significant levels of growth, a level of international co-ordination and integration and has now positioned itself as a strong and credible challenger brand to the ‘Big 4’ accounting firms in a very consolidated market.

He added: ‘I am very proud Grant Thornton has received this prestigious award, which is a recognition of the strength of our global strategy and leadership. It is an endorsement of the commitment and hard work of Grant Thornton in each market we serve, including our team here in the Isle of Man.

‘As the Isle of Man office moves into a new era, following the recent merger with BDO (Isle of Man), this award is an endorsement of the quality service, expertise and experience which we deliver to all our clients, old and new.’

Among the areas the award criteria focused on were effective communication, collaboration with external specialists and partners, positive impact on the client experience, enthusiastic employees living the firm's values, performance improvement and commercial success.

The firm’s success at executing its global strategy across a unique environment of a decentralised structure with global reach also helped it stand out in the judging.